Celebrating the Holidays in Arizona’s Christmas City

During this time of year, our thoughts turn to all of the wonders of Christmas and the holiday season. Prescott is Arizona’s Christmas City. This was done by proclamation by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in 1989. Prescott has proudly carried this title, and we have endeavored to live up to it ever since. A few years back, Prescott was named one of the best cities in America in which to experience Christmas.

We invite you and your family to join us for the many events that take place between Thanksgiving weekend and New Year’s Eve, including the Holiday Light Parade, the Christmas Parade, the Courthouse Lighting, Acker Night and the Whiskey Row Boot Drop.

The Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza will be lit with thousands of festive lights every evening starting with the Courthouse Lighting ceremony on the Courthouse steps, Dec. 3, including the reading of the biblical Christmas story and traditional Christmas music. The lights will remain through mid-January for all to enjoy. New this year is the Prescott Christmas Village and “Christkindlmarket.”

Also new this year, the Prescott Office of Tourism is offering a chance for folks who are colorblind to experience the true colors of Christmas. They have made special colorblind glasses available at the Prescott Public Library, the Visitor Center at the Prescott Chamber, our three museums and two centers. They are free to borrow for individuals who are colorblind. They even have children’s glasses available.

All of this Christmas City splendor would not be possible without the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and Prescott Downtown Partnership. They are the event organizers and they are supported by hundreds of volunteers giving thousands of hours, as well as sponsors and grants.  This year’s Christmas City festivities are sponsored by Friends of the Jersey Lilly Saloon, Desert Financial Credit Union and the Prescott Office of Tourism.  There are dozens of other companies and individuals who also support Arizona’s Christmas City with donations and volunteer time.

I invite you to come out, stroll the plaza, and while you are there, support the many fine shops and establishments. For more information including dates and times for the Arizona Christmas City events, go to ArizonaChristmasCity.com.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a prosperous and Happy New Year! QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.